Genetic counselors
Salary, job outlook, AI risk & career information
Genetic counselors in the United States earn a median salary of $100,040 per year — about $48 per hour, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Roughly 4K people work in this occupation nationwide, with projected employment growth of +9%.
AI & Automation Risk
Genetic counselors perform high-level knowledge work, including analyzing complex DNA data and medical histories, which is highly susceptible to AI optimization. However, the core of the role involves providing psychological support and navigating sensitive ethical decisions with patients, requiring a level of empathy and human connection that limits full automation.
Salary by City — What You Actually Take Home
Real purchasing power = salary adjusted for cost of living. Higher = more money in your pocket.
| City | Local Salary | Cost of Living | Real Purchasing Power |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CABEST VALUE | $177,990 | Above avg (115.6) | $153,953 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $165,920 | Above avg (110.4) | $150,259 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $120,560 | Above avg (113.6) | $106,159 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $99,030 | Below avg (94.7) | $104,604 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $106,010 | Average (102.6) | $103,370 |
| Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ | $102,710 | Above avg (103.3) | $99,413 |
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | $98,660 | Average (100.1) | $98,603 |
| Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX | $97,060 | Average (98.6) | $98,409 |
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | $101,390 | Above avg (103.1) | $98,351 |
| Salt Lake City-Murray, UT | $98,430 | Average (100.9) | $97,583 |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $102,010 | Above avg (104.8) | $97,317 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $109,130 | Above avg (112.6) | $96,950 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $102,920 | Above avg (111.1) | $92,610 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $95,880 | Above avg (103.6) | $92,553 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $100,380 | Above avg (108.9) | $92,190 |